If you often wake up feeling too hot or uncomfortable, your mattress could be the reason. A Geltex mattress is a modern sleep solution designed to offer cooler, more supportive sleep, combining the comfort of foam with enhanced breathability.
Geltex is a unique elastic gel material infused with air capsules, which allow better airflow, pressure relief, and temperature regulation throughout the night. It’s particularly popular in Silentnight mattresses, offering a refreshing alternative to traditional memory foam.
How Does Geltex Work?
The core of a Geltex mattress features a gel-infused comfort layer with an open cell structure. This allows:
- Enhanced breathability – Air flows freely, preventing overheating.
- Elasticity and responsiveness – The gel adapts to your body movements.
- Support and pressure relief – Ideal for joints, back, hips and shoulders.
Geltex is designed to retain its shape over time, reducing sagging and ensuring consistent comfort and spinal alignment.
Geltex vs Memory Foam: What’s the Difference?
When compared to memory foam mattresses, Geltex promises to enhance breathability, improve pressure relief, and enable free and easy movement.
Geltex mattresses can deliver on these promises because of their elastic profile and open cell structure that responds to the contours of your body and your movements throughout the night.
Following a study conducted by the University of Central Lancashire, Geltex was shown to outperform memory foam in comfort, pressure relief, firmness, and even spinal alignment.
Here is a table that compares the pros and cons of each one:
What are the benefits of a Geltex mattress?
While mattress comfort is ultimately subjective, the popularity of Geltex in recent times is a direct result of the myriad benefits that come with it.
While memory foam mattresses are still undoubtedly popular, Geltex bridges the gap between memory foam and more traditional sleep surfaces and provides the following benefits:
- Geltex mattresses are more breathable than memory foam, and the improved heat dispersal suits those who tend to overheat during the night.
- Furthermore, Geltex mattresses are designed to be durable and long-lasting. You don’t need to worry about Geltex mattresses dipping or sagging in the middle, as the gel helps the foam return to its original shape.
- You’re less likely to be disturbed by partner motion during the night, and Geltex contributes to a more peaceful night’s sleep.
- Geltex mattresses feel firmer than memory foam products and offer additional support throughout the night to those who need it.
As people have come to realise the many benefits associated with Geltex, it’s little surprise the mattress technology is increasing in popularity.
Alternatives to Geltex:
Some alternatives to Geltex mattresses include:
- memory foam, known for its contouring properties and pressure relief;
- latex, offering durability and responsiveness with a buoyant feel;
- innerspring mattresses with coil systems providing support and airflow;
- hybrid mattresses blending materials like foam and pocket springs or coils for balanced comfort;
- polyfoam mattresses offering affordability and various firmness levels;
- mattresses with natural fibers like cotton and wool for breathability and moisture-wicking.
Each alternative has its unique characteristics, catering to different preferences for support, comfort, and temperature regulation, allowing consumers to find the best option based on their needs and sleeping habits.
Just like Silentnight Bensons for Beds has developed their own line of mattresses with an iGel layer inside.
The iGel Mattress Collection has 4cm-7cm of gel, which regulates body temperature and provides body pressure relief.
They are priced £1,100-£1,800 for a double size.
Another alternative would be Dream’s TheraPur Mattress collection (shown below).
They have a layer of ActiGel, with an open cell structure.
This helps keep you cool at night and offers comfort and support. They are priced £700-£1,500 for a double size, depending on the model.
Final Thoughts: Should You Choose a Geltex Mattress?
A Geltex mattress offers the best of both worlds—cooling airflow and body-hugging support. Whether you’re replacing an old memory foam bed or looking to upgrade to a cooler night’s sleep, Geltex could be the solution.
Designed to address common sleep issues like overheating, joint pressure, and restlessness, Geltex technology is ideal for a wide range of sleepers—especially those who want cool comfort without compromising support.
